All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Bible is God’s self-revelation to us. To misrepresent scripture is to misrepresent God. The nature of scripture as God-breathed truth demands we study it carefully, present it faithfully, and obey it wholeheartedly. [Tweet "To misinterpret scripture is to misrepresent God."] The word of God is necessary, powerful, and sufficient for spiritual development and Christian service. It teaches, rebukes, corrects, and trains in...

It is time to study the word of God. You pray for illumination (Psalm 119:18). You select a passage of scripture to study. You then… This is where many people get stumped. Every time. They come to the text with good intentions. But they do not have a clear process for properly understanding the text. To get the right answers in your study of scripture, you must ask the right questions. This is called inductive Bible study. Here are five fundamental questions to ask as you study a passage of scripture. OBSERVATION: What does the text say? Just because you...

Happy Father's Day! Remembering my father - H.B. Charles Sr. - who transitioned to glory 26 years ago this weekend. My daddy was the man! A big birthday shout-out to my baby sister, Donetta! Happy Birthday Luv! We are praying for the families of the victims, the Emmanuel A.M.E Church, and the city of Charleston. We are also praying the gospel will bring healing to the continued racial divide in our nation! John MacArthur: Reflections on the Tragedy in Charleston. Russell Moore: It's Time to take down the Confederate flag Jerry Young: National Baptist Convention Response to Emanuel A.M.E. Church Shooting...

The Truth About Your Trials (1 Peter 1:6-7)

I periodically have the opportunity to interview friends and colleagues. These conversations about faith, preaching, and ministry have become one of the features of this website.   I was fortunate to have some great conversations during the first half of 2015. Catch up on the interviews I have done so far this year, just in case you missed any. Jeffrey A. Johnson Sr. Interview   Steven J. Lawson Interview (Part 1)   Steven J. Lawson Interview (Part 2)   Terry K. Anderson Interview    Reginald C. Payne Interview   Stephen Nelson Rummage Interview   Jarvis L. Collier Interview Did you find these interviews...

YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL LIST IN THE BOX AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE TO RECEIVE A FREE WEEKLY SERMON MANUSCRIPT.TO RECEIVE A FREE WEEKLY SERMON MANUSCRIPT. Congratulations to Pastor Richard Gaines for nineteen years of service to the Consolidated Baptist Church in Lexington. It was a joy to preach the celebration this week.  Pray for me and all the men who will be speaking at the SBC Pastors' Conference. Please pray for the Southern Baptist Convention in Columbus, Ohio. The Cutting It Straight Expository Preaching Conference is designed to train, model, and promote faithful Bible...

Praise God for Salvation (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Have you seen The Preacher’s Wife? It is a 1996 movie starring Denzel Washington and the late Whitney Houston. I went to see this movie when it came out in theaters. But I checked out during an early scene. The pastor was preaching his sermon. It was not going well. The preacher’s wife – Whitney Houston – who was also the music director, decide to save the day. The preacher made another point. His wife then led the choir in a musical response. It happened several times, until he gave her the look. I felt that way recently, preaching away...

Summer is a much-needed time of rest and relaxation for many people. This break from the various responsibilities of home, work, or school is a good thing. However, there is no such thing as a vacation, leave-of-absence, or sabbatical from your responsibilities as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus told his disciples, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). This call also applies to present-day disciples. Even though your life in Christ is supernatural; it's not superhuman. If you do not ever come apart, you'll fall apart. All of us need...

YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL LIST IN THE BOX AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE TO RECEIVE A FREE WEEKLY SERMON MANUSCRIPT. Shout out to Pastor Cameron Triggs and the Impact-180 team for leading Youth Explosion 2015 at the Shiloh Church this weekend. Shout-out to Pastor Robert Williams for the opportunity to speak at the New Fellowship Bible Church in Chester, PA, this week. Be sure to check out the latest episode of The On Preaching Podcast: Steven Rummage Interview. Check out my latest post: "Don't Assume Anything In the Pulpit"  The Cutting It Straight Expository Preaching Conference...

Taking Advantage of Your Trials (James 1:1-4)

“You remember the three Hebrews boys in the fiery furnace…” “You remember when Jesus stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee…” “You remember what Paul said about justification by faith alone…"  My sermons were filled with statements like these, as a young pastor. I took for granted that the congregation knew and understood these passing references. So I skipped the explanation and rushed to the point I wanted to make. That all changed with a conversation with a member. I considered her one of the most mature young adults. But I had to hide my surprise when she told...